Changing Children's Chances: A Research Based Framework To Address Child Health Inequity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$236,739.00
Summary
My vision is to both understand and address the modifiable child, family, service and community determinants of early childhood health and developmental inequities within the Australian policy context. Addressing inequities early in life will fundamentally change children’s chances and create a healthier and more productive future adult population. My research will build on a well-established program of innovative trials and secondary analyses; all designed to inform policy and practice.
Achieving Better Mental Health For Maltreated Children: Translating Population Data Into Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,706.00
Summary
This project uses linked population data to determine (a) the earliest indicators of risk of harm, and (b) mental health outcomes and health-care costs associated with children receiving child protection services, in partnership with the NSW department of Family and Community Services. The findings will ensure timely and effective responses to the most vulnerable children to mitigate adverse mental health and other outcomes associated with early life adversity.
A Comprehensive Approach To Solutions For Child Oral Health, Wellbeing And Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,946.00
Summary
Tooth decay in young children is one of the most common chronic diseases of early childhood. The VicGen birth cohort study has been following more than 400 children, since birth, to look at a range of factors that influence the development of tooth decay. This PhD will use data from the cohort and be one of the first studies to look at the health of children’s teeth between birth and five years of age. Findings from this work will inform strategies to help prevent children developing tooth decay
Learning Clubs To Improve Women’s Health And Infant’s Health And Development In Vietnam: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Low-cost, Evidence-informed, Structured Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,372,748.00
Summary
Poor physical and mental health among women in resource-constrained settings and the flow-on consequences for their infants are international priorities. No intervention to improve early childhood development in these settings has addressed more than two (of eight) major risk factors. Our aim is to establish in a cluster RCT in rural Vietnam the impact of a comprehensive, integrated, low-cost, accessible, universal program addressing all eight risks, for women’s health and infant development.
Pathways To Better Health And Education Outcomes For Tasmania’s Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,173.00
Summary
For far too many of these children, a poor start predicts a poor future. This is especially true for Tasmanian children who live in amongst the most disadvantaged circumstances in Australia. This project will follow 12,000 Tasmanian children through early childhood services from birth to age five to find out if services are meeting their needs. The information will be used to improve services and improve the health and education of all Tasmanian children.
Closing The Gap: Early Childhood Sustained Home Visiting For Families Of Aboriginal Infants In An Urban Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,244,402.00
Summary
The study aims to determine whether a sustained structured nurse home visiting (SSNVH) program is effective for Aboriginal families. In the context of increased government investment in home visiting programs for Indigenous children, this study will help to answer three critical questions: (1) Does SSNHV result in improved outcomes for Aboriginal infants? (2) Is SSNHV equally effective for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants?(3) What are the issues in adaptation and implementation?
The Gudaga Study is a unique study of Aboriginal children in an urban environment on the eastern seaboard of Australia. Children were recruited at birth and have been followed up at 6-monthly intervals to age 5 years. This research aims to describe the health, early learning and service context of these urban Aboriginal children from 5 to 9 years. Detailed longitudinal data on Aboriginal children's early life experiences have not previously been collected in an urban setting.
Improving The Developmental Outcomes Of Northern Territory Children: A Datalinkage Study To Inform Policy And Practice In Health, Family Services And Education
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$952,358.00
Summary
The project uses linked de-identified administrative data sets to study the developmental trajectories of NT children. It investigates the complex interplay of life circumstances including health status, early developmental assessments and demographic data - both individual and community level - all of which influence outcomes including school attendance, performance and retention.
Role Of Maternal And Obstetric Factors On Long-term Child Health & Educational Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,492.00
Summary
Natasha Nassar’s research program uses advanced research methods to address new challenges in child health in a portfolio that extends from bench-to-bedside-to-policy. She will investigate the role of maternal health, serum biomarkers, pregnancy complications and obstetric interventions, and birth on subsequent child health and development. Identification of at-risk children and involvement of clinicians and policy-makers should see her research result in improved child health outcomes.
Early Human Capability – Measurement, Intervention, Results.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
It is well recognised that child health and development has consequences for health later in adulthood. However, despite the fact that billions of dollars are being spent on early childhood initiatives, we do not have a fit-for-purpose tool to measure the effectiveness and impact of interventions, particularly in marginalised and poor communities.This project seeks to trial a new instrument within existing large scale impact evaluations of early childhood programs in China, Tonga and Australia.